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Carlo Incorvaia

Publications and source records attributed to Carlo Incorvaia.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Effect of 2% dorzolamide on retinal blood flow: a study on juvenile primary open-angle glaucoma patients already receiving 0.5% timolol.

AIM: To investigate whether dorzolamide modifies peripapillary retinal haemodynamics in juvenile primary open-angle glaucoma (JPOAG) patients treated with timolol. METHODS: In 40 JPOAG subjects, before and after dorzolamide coadministration with timolol, the following examinations were achieved: intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure (BP), ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), heart rate (HR), visual field and retinal flowmetry. RESULTS: Adjunctive therapy with dorzolamide induced the following modifications: IOP reduction [1.75 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23, 2.26; P < 0.05], OPP increase (5.09 mmHg, 95% CI 2.97, 7.20; P < 0.02) and retinal blood flow improvement (35.0 arbitrary units, 95% CI 12.20, 57.80; P < 0.03). BP, HR and visual field indices did not change. CONCLUSIONS: Dorzolamide, in association or in fixed combination with timolol, significantly improves retinal blood flow in JPOAG patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of a Real-time PCR-based assay using the lightcycler system for detection of Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoite genes in blood specimens from patients with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.

PCR based methods have advantages over traditional methods for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, especially when serology fails and clinical symptoms are not evident. However, current PCR-based assays are often labour-intensive and not readily quantifiable and have the potential for contamination due to a requirement for postamplification sample handling. Real-time PCR can address these limitations. We have developed and evaluated a highly sensitive Real-time PCR (Light-cycler, LC-PCR) to detect and quantify Toxoplasma gondii B1 and bradyzoite specific genes (SAG-4, MAG-1) in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) specimens, from five immunocompetent subjects with clinically suspected toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (TRC) or without a suspected T. gondii infection. A standard curve for quantitation of parasitic load was generated using SYBR Green I fluorescent detection. The results were compared with those obtained with a nested PCR (n-PCR). In TRC patients, both PCR methods confirmed ophtalmoscopy and fluorangiographic findings. Among the TRC patients, the use of LC-PCR was more sensitive than n-PCR for detection and quantification of either B1 gene (P<0.001) or SAG-4/MAG-1 gene (P<0.05). LC-PCR has been shown particularly useful to accurately determine the parasite DNA load in follow-up specimens in whom the performance of either B1 or SAG-4 and MAG-1 in detecting T. gondii loads, varied with respect to specific antitoxoplasmic treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Endogenous Aspergillus versicolor endophthalmitis in an immuno-competent HIV-positive patient.

A 25-year-old white, HIV-positive, immuno-competent man was referred to us because of a progressive blurred vision in his right eye. Clinical characteristics were suggestive for an unilateral fungal endophthalmitis, and thereby fluconazole firstly, followed by conventional amphotericin B were intravenously administered, without any significant improvement. Thus, a pars plana vitrectomy was performed. Aspergillus versicolor was isolated from the cultures of the vitreous sample and intravenous liposomal amphotericin B was administered. An increase of visual acuity together with a reduction of vitreous inflammation occurred. This case of ours represents the first report describing an endogenous endophthalmitis induced by Aspergillus versicolor.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Prevalence of factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphism in patients affected by spontaneous subconjunctival hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: To verify the prevalence of Val34Leu polymorphism in factor XIII A-chain gene (FXIII Val34Leu) in patients with spontaneous subconjunctival hemorrhage (SCH). DESIGN: Nonrandomized case-control study. METHODS: One hundred seven white patients suffering from one or more episodes of idiopathic SCH and 107 healthy subjects were matched for age and gender, and genotyped for FXIII Val34Leu. Anamnestic, ophthalmologic, cardiovascular, and serologic examinations were performed. RESULTS: Frequency of FXIII mutated allele (Leu34) was significantly higher in SCH patients than in controls. Computing together heterozygotes (Val/Leu) and homozygotes (Leu/Leu), genotype distribution was statistically different. In a conditional logistic regression model, the comparison of the three separated genotypes, performed among 25 patients with recurrent idiopathic SCHs and controls, gave significant differences for both Val/Leu and Leu/Leu variables. CONCLUSION: Both homozygosity and heterozygosity for FXIII Val34Leu predispose to idiopathic SCH, emphasizing the role of Leu34 allele as inherited risk factor for spontaneous, especially recurrent, SCHs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma associated with bilateral atypical acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) is a malignant neoplasm frequently associated with an increase in circulating immune complexes (CIC). Acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE) is a disease involving the chorioretinal structures of the eye, and it is commonly observed in association with several immunogenic disorders. We report here the clinical association between humoral immunologic modifications during tumoral diseases (long-standing CIC increase) and chorioretinal changes resembling atypical APMPPE. CASE REPORT: A 52-year-old white male affected by metastatic CCRCC is described. Histopathologic review of his surgically removed organs (kidney and lung), periodical laboratory immunologic tests and ophthalmologic examinations, including fluorescein and indocyanine green angiographies, were performed. RESULTS: The patient underwent total left nephrectomy (May 1997) and total left pneumonectomy (March 2001) for the presence of stage III CCRCC and CCRCC lung metastasis, respectively. On both occasions, postoperative immunotherapy was started. From June 1997 to February 2003, laboratory analyses demonstrated the presence of marked CIC peaks. During the follow-up period, an atypical APMPPE pattern, complicated by asynchronous choroidal neovascularization, occurred in both eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Long-standing tumorous disease, through a pathogenic mechanism triggered by CIC spreading, can be responsible, over time, for a progressive choroidal occlusive microangiopathy (atypical APMPPE pattern), associated with a high risk of poor visual outcome. Therefore, bilateral APMPPE could be related to a systemic disease able to increase CIC levels.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗
PubMed2003

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency associated with bilateral keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To report a clinical association between congenital adrenal hyperplasia and keratoconus. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: Two 25-year-old dizygotic female twins were retrospectively studied. Clinical history, hormonal serologic profile, complete ophthalmologic examination, and Holladay Diagnostic Summary variables were evaluated. In the course of a 15-month follow-up period, a progression of the corneal disease was observed. RESULTS: In both twins a diagnosis of nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia, due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency, was established when they were 21 years old. In one subject, the computed corneal topographic analyses diagnosed an asymmetric keratoconus in both eyes. A progressive form of fruste central keratoconus was also documented in her sister. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia may be associated with keratoconus. An abnormal steroidogenic pathway, affecting the normal development of the cornea, could induce stromal abnormalities that lead to corneal ectasia.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗
PubMed2002

Mesectodermal leiomyoma exclusively involving the posterior choroid.

PURPOSE: To report a mesectodermal leiomyoma of the posterior choroid. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: A 23-year-old man was referred to us because of a progressive blurred vision in his left eye. Ophthalmologic examination revealed the presence of a 12 x 10 x 7.2-mm amelanotic choroidal mass in his left posterior pole. Fluorescein angiography, A-scan ultrasonography, and B-scan echography findings were suggestive for a diagnosis of choroidal amelanotic melanoma. These clinical features prompted us to enucleate the left eye. RESULTS: Histopathological and immunohistochemistry examinations established a definitive diagnosis of mesectodermal leiomyoma of the posterior choroid. CONCLUSION: This case represents the first report describing the occurrence of an intraocular mesectodermal leiomyoma that may exclusively involve the posterior choroid.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Recurrent episodes of spontaneous subconjunctival hemorrhage in patients with factor XIII Val34Leu mutation.

PURPOSE: To report on the occurrence of frequent episodes of spontaneous subconjunctival hemorrhage (SCH) in patients with the Leu 34 allele of the coagulation factor XIII (FXIII), known to be associated with high hemorrhagic risk. DESIGN: Observational case series. METHODS: Five young adults who had suffered from recurrent idiopathic SCH not associated with any recognized ocular and systemic hemorrhagic risk factor were investigated. Accurate anamnestic, ophthalmologic, hematologic, and serologic examinations were performed, together with blood pressure measurements, electrocardiogram (ECG), and 24-hour Holter ECG recordings. FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism was studied by DNA chain polymerase reaction. RESULTS: DNA analyses showed that the hemorrhagic mutated Leu34 allele was present in four of our selected patients: two mutated homozygotes (Leu/Leu) and two heterozygotes (Val/Leu). In the last subject this polymorphism was not detected. All the other clinical evaluations did not disclose any significant abnormality. CONCLUSIONS: The FXIII Val34Leu mutation may be associated with an increased risk for spontaneous episodes of SCH.

Adult↗